The North Carolina legislature has approved a new rule, specific to soil testing, that affects farmers and other clients. According to SESSION LAW 2013-360 SENATE BILL 402 there will be $4 fee for all soil samples processed by the NCDA&CS Agronomic Division during its busiest season: December through March. There will still be no fee from April through November. Rationale: * To improve lab efficiency by encouraging more growers to sample early, thereby fostering a more balanced sample load throughout the year * To enhance sustainability of the soil-testing program by generating receipts that will be earmarked for lab improvements, such as automated equipment, additional peak-season personnel and computer-programming enhancements [The draft 2013 Appropriations Act ensures that receipts generated by the new fee will be appropriated to NCDA&CS for this purpose for FY 2014 and 2015.] NOTE: This year, December 1st falls on a Sunday and is preceded by the Thanksgiving holidays. Wednesday, November 27th, will be the last business day of the month for the soil testing lab. Any soil samples arriving after 6 p.m. on November 27th will be subject to the peak-season fee because they will not be logged in and processed until December 2nd. Sample drop offs must take place during business hours (6 a.m.–6 p.m., Mon.–Fri.). A locked gate will prevent access to the loading dock area after hours and on weekends. This change will help increase the security of samples and improve customers’ access to Agronomic Division personnel. Payment should not be placed inside shippers. By late Fall 2013, clients will have the convenience of entering sample and payment (credit card or escrow account) information online in the PALS website. Cash and checks will be accepted for peak-season samples only if deposited in advance in an escrow account. The above information was provided by NCDA&CS Beat the rush! October and November are very good months for submitting soil samples.
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The North Carolina legislature has approved a new rule, specific to soil testing, that affects farmers and other clients. According to SESSION LAW 2013-360 SENATE BILL 402 there will be $4 fee for all soil samples processed by the NCDA&CS Agronomic Division during its busiest season: December through March. There will still be no fee from April through November. Rationale: * To improve lab efficiency by encouraging more growers to sample early, thereby fostering a more balanced sample load throughout the year * To enhance sustainability of the soil-testing program by generating receipts that will be earmarked for lab improvements, such as automated equipment, additional peak-season personnel and computer-programming enhancements [The draft 2013 Appropriations Act ensures that receipts generated by the new fee will be appropriated to NCDA&CS for this purpose for FY 2014 and 2015.] NOTE: This year, December 1st falls on a Sunday and is preceded by the Thanksgiving holidays. Wednesday, November 27th, will be the last business day of the month for the soil testing lab. Any soil samples arriving after 6 p.m. on November 27th will be subject to the peak-season fee because they will not be logged in and processed until December 2nd. Sample drop offs must take place during business hours (6 a.m.–6 p.m., Mon.–Fri.). A locked gate will prevent access to the loading dock area after hours and on weekends. This change will help increase the security of samples and improve customers’ access to Agronomic Division personnel. Payment should not be placed inside shippers. By late Fall 2013, clients will have the convenience of entering sample and payment (credit card or escrow account) information online in the PALS website. Cash and checks will be accepted for peak-season samples only if deposited in advance in an escrow account. The above information was provided by NCDA&CS Beat the rush! October and November are very good months for submitting soil samples.
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The High Country Regional Cattle Conference will be held on October 10, 2016. RSVP to 336-846-5850 by October 3. See the brochure for additional details.
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Ashe County Children's Trust Endowment fundraiser will be on Saturday Octpber 1 from 7pm until 12am at the Jefferson Landing Pub. See the brochure for additional details.
READ THE REST »Our laboratory has recently published a study which measured the differences between our current integrated pest management (IPM) recommendations for tobacco insect management and what growers actually do. This was the topic of Jeremy Slone’s MORE » – from 
Entomology
Energy efficiency is an investment that can help you gain a return on your energy bill and on the value of your home. So, how do you know where to begin saving money MORE » – from Home Energy Conservation
DIY – Home Energy Assessment In order to identify energy loss in your home, you need to conduct a home energy assessment. If you choose not to hire a trained professional, there is MORE » – from Home Energy Conservation
Making Sense (and Cents) out of Home Energy Efficiency Projects – The average U.S. household spends over $2,000 a year on energy. Whether you are considering making major energy efficient upgrades to your MORE » – from Home Energy Conservation
The United States Department of Agriculture Disaster Resource Center offers information to help farmers prepare for disasters. From drought to Avian Influenza, and food safety to wildfire, the USDA Disaster Resource Center covers a MORE » – from NC Disaster Information Center
The 16th Annual Nursery Crop Field Day will be held on Friday, September 23 from 8 am to 3 pm at Hard and Flossie Clark Park in Collettsville, NC. The event features hands-on MORE » – from Burke County Center
This event features on-site demonstrations and will focus on recent research from Dr. Joe Neal’s lab exploring the economics and efficacy of weed control strategies in container nurseries. Topics include herbicide efficacy and MORE » – from Burke County Center
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